Dr Helen Allars, Managing Director, Datapharm Australia Pty Ltd

Helen has always had a passion for medical research. She majored in Biochemistry and Chemistry and was the first Science student to do Honours in Cell Pathology at Sydney University. She followed this up with a Masters in Cell Pathology, conducting cystic fibrosis research at Children’s Medical Research Foundation (CMRF). A few years in the Clinical Pharmacology Department at St Vincent’s Hospital, mentored by Prof Denis Wade, saw Helen awarded a PhD for research into phospholipid turnover in dopamine receptors in guinea pig striatal nerve endings.

Helen spent some time teaching pharmacology at UNSW before the pharmaceutical industry lured her with a role as a CRA at SmithKline & French. Helen’s interest in statistics and collection of clinical data saw the introduction of the first computer into the SKF medical department. Family commitments encouraged Helen to work from home as a consultant while she studied statistics.

As clients became more plentiful, Helen was able to take on staff and Datapharm Australia was born in 1987. Since then, she has managed and mentored a diverse and enthusiastic team. As the company expanded, so have Helen’s abilities and today the company continues to thrive under her care as Managing Director.

Julie Allars - B Pharm., Dip Hosp Pharm.

After graduating in Pharmacy at the University of Sydney, Julie completed a post-graduate Diploma in Hospital Pharmacy at the same university. She then spent several years in both retail and hospital pharmacy before joining the Datapharm team in 1990. The pharmaceutical industry was rapidly expanding at this time in Australia, so this enabled Julie to experience extensive exposure to a wide range of clinical trial processes, including medical writing, study design, clinical monitoring, clinical trial auditing and clinical data management. Julie is currently the Clinical Services Manager at Datapharm, a role which encompasses oversight of Datapharm’s data management services and as well as cross-team consultancy drawing on her many years of extensive experience.

Lyn Tozer - MBBS, MHA

A medical graduate of the University of Sydney, Lyn spent many years in hospital and general practice roles before joining Datapharm in 1994 while completing her MHA (Master of Health Administration) at UNSW. Over the years Lyn has experienced all facets of clinical trial management and data management in her life at Datapharm. For several years she oversaw clinical monitoring services and in 2005 became the Medical Director. Since 2007 Lyn has managed Datapharm’s team of medical and scientific writers and has had responsibility for the company’s pharmacovigilance services. In 2008 Lyn undertook general practice retraining through the University of Sydney in order to update her clinical knowledge, skills which have proven advantageous in her current role at Datapharm.

Jim Sockler - PhD

Texas born and bred, Jim taught sports physiology for some years at Colorado State University before coming to Australia in 1991 to become Assoc Prof and head of school at UNSW department of sport and leisure studies. In 1999 Jim became Principal at the Australian College of Physical Education (ACPE) at Homebush where he remained until 2003 when he left academia to pursue a career in statistics, a subject he had taught for over 20 years. He came to Datapharm in 2005 where, as Manager of Statistical Operations and Programming, he has a team of statisticians and programmers to guide, organise and teach. The team is well integrated and organised and the smooth operation of multiple projects is the norm under Jim’s expert care.